Jack Kavanaugh Named Chair of Arrogene

Arrogene, Inc., a biotechnology company developing nano-diagnostic and therapeutic agents based on natural polymer and beta-polymalic acid, has announced that Dr. Jack Kavanaugh, a widely respected executive who has successfully led and guided multiple biotech and physical science companies, will assume the title of Chairman and Executive Chairman effective immediately.

Arrogene’s technology was developed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under the leadership and guidance of Julia Ljubimova, MD, PhD, director of the Nanomedicine Research Center in the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai and founder and lead scientist at Arrogene. Other notable contributions to the technology came from Eggehard Holler, PhD, research scientist in the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, and Keith Black, MD, chair of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurosurgery, director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, and the Ruth and Lawrence Harvey Chair in Neuroscience at Cedars-Sinai. The technology is exclusively licensed by Cedars-Sinai to Arrogene under an exclusive license agreement dated December 23, 2009, as amended from time to time. Arrogene has already created a proprietary technology for the delivery of therapeutics through multiple bio-barriers, including the blood-brain barrier, to cancer cells. In addition, the same nano-drugs will be able to activate the anti-tumor immune response of each individual patient. This technology could be useful for multiple pathological conditions in addition to cancer.

“I am truly thrilled to be joining Arrogene,” said Dr. Kavanaugh. “Dr. Ljubimova has led an incredible team in developing strides that I believe will have a very unique and profound impact on both cancer therapy (with multiple targets) as well as diagnostic and in-therapy assessments.”

Kavanaugh previously served as Founder, Chairman and CEO of ZetaRX, the core of Juno Therapeutics, which reported the best results ever in the history of terminal cancer therapy and which has attained a market cap of approximately $6 billion.

Dr. Ljubimova added, “As a company founder, I strongly believe that in Dr. Kavanaugh’s professional hands the company will be able to significantly contribute to the innovative treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions.”

Dr. Kavanaugh has developed and managed multiple companies at every stage—from inception to successful sale—and has maintained a medical and physical sciences technology focus. He has led mergers, acquisitions, turnarounds and corporate strategic development for companies that have had a significant positive impact on society and the welfare of people everywhere.

Dr. Black stated, “I am delighted that Dr. Jack Kavanaugh is joining Arrogene as Executive Chairman. Dr. Kavanaugh brings a wealth of experience in moving novel discoveries from the bench to therapeutics for human disorders. His vision and leadership ability will greatly accelerate the commercial development of Arrogene’s nano-technology platforms.”